How to Earn the Trust of a Feral Kitten

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

Kittens that are born in the wild and not used to humans are considered feral. You may spot one of these cute fluff balls in the country or urban and suburban landscapes. You may even find one or more feral kittens that you want. But you can’t simply grab feral kittens and bring them home. This can traumatize them and make it difficult to gain their trust. With a bit of patience, you can earn the trust of a feral kitten by approaching it gradually and creating a safe space for it.

Feed the kitten and its mother. Offer the kitten and its mother food from a bowl at the same time each day. Back away and give them space to eat. Having regular meals and a routine can build the kitten’s trust. This can also ensure that the mother brings out all of her kittens for food so you can choose one.[1]

Place an item of yours, such as a sweaty shirt, underneath the food dish. The kitten will associate your scent with good things.[2]

Remember that feral kittens are usually mistrusting of humans at first, which can lead to aggression. Give the kitten plenty of space when you feed it and don't rush the process.

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Set up a cage trap. Trapping is the safest and kindest way to catch your feral kitten. Purchase or rent a humane cage trap and follow the directions for assembly.[3] Secure the trap door with a cable tie so that you can continue to build trust with the kitten before you actually trap it.[4]

If you're trapping a young kitten that's still nursing, you'll need to trap the mother cat along with all of its other kittens. Any kittens you don't trap will starve without their mother.

Move the food to the cage trap. Place the food bowl at the back of the cage trap. Sprinkle bits of cat food at the entrance of the trap and around the base surface. This ensures that the kitten feels comfortable entering the cage.[5]

Hide the cage trap under bushes or in another safe spot so that the kitten can confidently enter and exit it.

Trap your kitten. After the kitten feels comfortable entering and exiting the cage, attach a string to the trap door and pull it closed when you’re ready. Stay out of sight of the trap and pull the door shut with the taut string. This can ensure that you don’t trap the kitten in the door or associate you with trauma.[6]

Cover the cage and move your kitten. Place a dark-colored sheet over the trap cage. Pick it up and set it in a quiet, warm room for the kitten. This can calm the kitten before you take it to the vet and release it into your home.[7]

Avoid chasing or grabbing the kitten. Imagine if you were a young kitten that loves and feeds from its mother and enjoys playing with your siblings. Consider what it would feel like if a larger animal started chasing you and grabbed at you. Steer clear of chasing and grabbing kittens, which can traumatize them and undermine your attempts to gain their trust.[8]

Be patient. It takes time to build trust with feral kittens. Give yourself and the kitten time at least a few days to get used to one another before you trap it. This can ensure that you don’t traumatize the kitten(s) before you bring it home. It also helps build a relationship with the kitten that you can continue once you bring it home.[9]

Take the kitten to your vet. Feral cats and kittens are often exposed to parasites and diseases. They may also have wounds. Ensure your kitten’s immediate and long-term health and wellbeing with a vet visit. Do this soon after trapping the kitten to get another potential trauma out of the way.[10]

Tell your vet the circumstances under which you captured your kitten. This can help the vet figure out what tests to run, vaccinations to administer, and provide other treatment the kitten may need.

Give your kitten prescribed medication. Many vets will assume feral cats have internal parasites, fleas, and ticks. Administer any medications your vet prescribes. This can ensure that your kitten gets healthy and minimizes the risk of transmitting illness or parasites to other animals. It may also stop excessive crying or meowing.

Give your kitten the full course of medication to fully treat any issues and prevent recurrences.

Ask you vet about administering medication with as little trauma to your kitten as possible.

Ask about spaying and neutering. Consider having your kitten spayed or neutered as soon as they are at least eight weeks old and weigh a minimum of two pounds. This can prevent unwanted pregnancies if your kitten goes outside or is around other cats.[11]

Create a cozy and quiet spot. Give your feral kitten time to get used to its new surroundings. Set up a separate and cozy area where it can sleep, eat, and use the litter box. Use an entire room or provide a partially covered large crate or box. This can ensure your kitten feels safe. It also lets you continue building trust with it.[12]

Place a blanket in the area for warmth and comfort. Consider putting a personal item, such as a sweatshirt in the space. This can get it used to your scent.

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Give your kitten a box or shelter to hide in. It's important that your kitten has somewhere to hide when you first bring it home. A hiding spot will make it feel safe while it's getting adjusted. Over time, your kitten will get more comfortable with you and start coming out of its hiding spot more.

Feed your kitten. Give your kitten a small amount of canned cat food. Moisten it with milk replacer for up to 10 weeks. The food should be about the consistency of oatmeal.[13] This supports a kitten’s growth and health. It also builds trust and gives you a chance to engage your kitten with petting and praise.[14]

Avoid regular milk because this can upset your kitten’s stomach.

Put your kitten’s food in ceramic or metal bowls. Some kittens may be sensitive to plastic.

Stroke your kitten. Comfort the kitten as it lets you by gently petting its head, neck, and under its chin. Depending on how much trust you’ve built, pick up your kitten or sit next to it while you stroke it. This can calm it and provide reassurance.[15]

Talk to your kitten. Give your kitten praise and chat with it while you pet or hold it. Maintain a soft voice to avoid scaring your kitten. This can give your kitten further comfort and reassurance.[16]

Say your kitten’s name often so it gets used to it. For example, “Hi Matilda, you’re such a sweet baby. Do you like it when I pet your belly, Matilda? Oh, you do! What a good kitten you are, Matilda!”

Play with your kitten. Get your kitten simple toys such as a toilet paper roll, toy mice, or balls it can bat with its paws. This can ensure the kitten’s healthy development and strengthen your bond. Avoid any play with sudden movements, which can startle a kitten and undermine your ability to gain its trust.[17]

Avoid scolding your kitten. Raised voices or gentle taps can scare any cat. This is especially true of a feral kitten. Avoid yelling at or hitting your kitten. This can traumatize it and weaken your bond. If it does behaviors you don’t like, a firm “no” can let it know to stop.[18]

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Community Q&A

You can make posters and put them up around your city or neighborhood. (Be sure to include a photo of the kitten and your contact information, along with the last place your kitten was seen.) After that, you can't do anything but be patient and keep walking around to look for your kitten.

Keep them separated at first. This will get the stray used to his/her surroundings. They should be able to smell and hear each other. You could do this by feeding the others by the door, allowing them to get used to each other's sounds and scents. If possible, keep the stray on one side of a glass screen, and the others' on the other side. Feed them, play with them and give them treats within view of each other. If they all seem comfortable, you can supervise face-to-face introduction. It will take time for the cats' to get used to each other, but it should work.

How can I not be scared that a feral cat will claw or bite me? I know it won't, but I'm still scared.

Community Answer

Cats can sense your fear. Take a deep breath, smile, and act calm. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee a cat WON'T bite or scratch you, so you do need to exercise caution and don't try to touch cats you don't know or trust.

I have a small black kitten with orange eyes living under my shed. It was bony and had a big stomach. I took it in and fed it and now it's doing better, but it's so clingy. Any tips to get it less clingy?

Merlin77

Top Answerer

It sounds like that cat has worms, or may be pregnant if it is female and old enough. To get it less clingy, stick to regular feeding times and try to get it to trust you. Try interacting with it at regular times, as it will then come to expect you only during those times and won't be as clingy. Some kittens outgrow this phase once they realize you aren't going to disappear.

Try to catch the kitten with a humane trap. These can often be borrowed from rescue organizations with the intention of trapping and then spaying/neutering the cat. These traps can be set up outside with a small amount of food. Please note feral kittens/cats can be dangerous and should be handled with caution. It would be beneficial to both the kitten and yourself that once trapped you immediately bring the kitten to a veterinary clinic for tests, treatments and spay/neuter. After this, it is very possible you will be able to keep your new friend.

I found a kitten under my car. I brought her inside. Right now, I need to establish trust. How do I do that?

Karmo

Community Answer

Your first step is to feed and water it, and give it a place to sleep. If you want to keep the cat, take the cat to the vet and get its shots. If you don't want the cat, you should take it to an animal center.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

To earn the trust of a feral kitten, feed it from a bowl at the same time every day to build a routine. During the feedings, place one of your shirts under the food dish so the kitten associates your scent with good things. If you want to get the kitten veterinary care, set up a humane cage trap and move the food bowl into the cage. Once the kitten gets used to entering and exiting the cage on its own, trap it, cover the cage, and move it to a safe space. Make sure to get the kitten veterinary care, such as shots, before bringing it home. Then, create a cozy and quiet spot for it to feel safe in.